On the ‘what should I pack’ front, am I the only one that
notices that, at this time of year, every possible form of media seems to be
instructing us (women) on the absolute essentials required for the holiday season?

Everything from a certain type of swimwear (to make the most of every body
type) to eyewear and eye makeup (the best waterproofs on the market – for those
sexy eyes) and the medicine cabinet that is an absolute no brainer – just in
case you get an allergic reaction/cystitis/diarrhoea/dehydration/headache/jellyfish stings or, more
likely, just the plain old hangover.

Surely the male of the species must be hit with this type of sales pitch, in their blokey magazines.

I'm certain that, come January, marketing companies are tasked with instructing us where to go and who to book holidays with, completing their journey of direction around June. Then, with a focus on what we should be packing and, if we haven't yet booked a holiday, where to go and book 'a last minute getaway'. Starting again at the end of August with an onslaught of winter holiday suggestions.

And so it was, giant ‘who is not a child’ departed with a case full of
stuff, that will probably be cast aside, with the ready declaration of “this is what my Mum packed … SOo embarrassing!”

And I'm left with the hope that I didn't forget anything and that the
only thing brought back is a case full of dirty washing and a memory bank of
happy memories.